Epson 890 head issue

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

I have an Epson 890. I had an issue where the heads kept getting clogged due
to not enuf use. I used the suggestions of a few poeple on this group to
clean them and it worked fine. I now get good nozzel checks. The issue I am
having now is when I print in photo quality or a higher resolution than
360dpi, I get thin magenta and/or cyan lines going thru the prints. I have
tried the cleaning processes over again and they come and go. I have even
gone so far as to take the heads off and clean them with a paper towel
soaked in windex. I have let the printer sit for days to make sure there is
no cleaning solution left and have run purge print jobs several times using
a special .jpg to print each color seperately yet the lines still appear at
resolutions above 360.

I am assuming the print heads are just shot and need replacing. Anyone ever
experience this? Can anyone tell me where I can order new print heads for
this printer? They are simple to replace so I can do it myself. I like this
printer and really don't want to replace it if I can avoid it.

TIA

Mike...

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Hi Mike,

Unfortunately, the defect you describe is way to common, and does appear
to be something requiring head replacement. In spite of considerable
research and having two EEs look over the service manuals and the
schematics (as much as Epson releases), no one has yet come up with an
explanation of the cause of this nor what, if anything, can be done to
fix the problem. There are a number of theories.

I suspect Epson knows the cause but in years past (I don't know what
their current tact is) they denied even having seen such a problem. I
know of several hundred cases, at least.

If you wish to do it fully correctly, head replacement requires a
special program from Epson. One part is a series of tests that help you
to make geometric adjustments, and you could do this without the
program, although the program puts the printer through a series of
printed test charts that explain what adjustments the head requires.

The second part allows for fine tuning the head so that each piezo
activator is adjusted for voltage levels to equalize them. I am not
sure why this is required. It may help keep the head from wearing as
quickly, or it may alter ink flow for each nozzle or even effect timing
of the dot release.

I do not know who would offer parts in your area, check with an Epson
repair depot.

Art

Mike Benz wrote:

> I have an Epson 890. I had an issue where the heads kept getting clogged due
> to not enuf use. I used the suggestions of a few poeple on this group to
> clean them and it worked fine. I now get good nozzel checks. The issue I am
> having now is when I print in photo quality or a higher resolution than
> 360dpi, I get thin magenta and/or cyan lines going thru the prints. I have
> tried the cleaning processes over again and they come and go. I have even
> gone so far as to take the heads off and clean them with a paper towel
> soaked in windex. I have let the printer sit for days to make sure there is
> no cleaning solution left and have run purge print jobs several times using
> a special .jpg to print each color seperately yet the lines still appear at
> resolutions above 360.
>
> I am assuming the print heads are just shot and need replacing. Anyone ever
> experience this? Can anyone tell me where I can order new print heads for
> this printer? They are simple to replace so I can do it myself. I like this
> printer and really don't want to replace it if I can avoid it.
>
> TIA
>
> Mike...
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 11:46:22 -0500, "Mike Benz" <mvbenz@**NO_SPAM**mvbenz.com>
wrote:

>I have an Epson 890. I had an issue where the heads kept getting clogged due
>to not enuf use. I used the suggestions of a few poeple on this group to
>clean them and it worked fine. I now get good nozzel checks. The issue I am
>having now is when I print in photo quality or a higher resolution than
>360dpi, I get thin magenta and/or cyan lines going thru the prints. I have
>tried the cleaning processes over again and they come and go. I have even
>gone so far as to take the heads off and clean them with a paper towel
>soaked in windex. I have let the printer sit for days to make sure there is
>no cleaning solution left and have run purge print jobs several times using
>a special .jpg to print each color seperately yet the lines still appear at
>resolutions above 360.
>
>I am assuming the print heads are just shot and need replacing. Anyone ever
>experience this? Can anyone tell me where I can order new print heads for
>this printer? They are simple to replace so I can do it myself. I like this
>printer and really don't want to replace it if I can avoid it.
>
>TIA
>
>Mike...
>



Soak the print head in 2mmn of Windex or in my case Spray and Wipe, this is
way stronger, for say 1 hour, then do it again and then again 2 times with
clean water, the dry off with some tissues.

You only soak the face of the print head..

This should fully clean the print head..




----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

> Soak the print head in 2mmn of Windex or in my case Spray and Wipe,
> this is way stronger, for say 1 hour, then do it again and then again
> 2 times with clean water, the dry off with some tissues.
>
> You only soak the face of the print head..
>
> This should fully clean the print head..

And if these instructions correct the "stuck nozzle" problem with
magenta (or other color) lines on the print, I'd love to know about it. ;-)

Art

puss@purrpurr.com wrote:

> On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 11:46:22 -0500, "Mike Benz" <mvbenz@**NO_SPAM**mvbenz.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>I have an Epson 890. I had an issue where the heads kept getting clogged due
>>to not enuf use. I used the suggestions of a few poeple on this group to
>>clean them and it worked fine. I now get good nozzel checks. The issue I am
>>having now is when I print in photo quality or a higher resolution than
>>360dpi, I get thin magenta and/or cyan lines going thru the prints. I have
>>tried the cleaning processes over again and they come and go. I have even
>>gone so far as to take the heads off and clean them with a paper towel
>>soaked in windex. I have let the printer sit for days to make sure there is
>>no cleaning solution left and have run purge print jobs several times using
>>a special .jpg to print each color seperately yet the lines still appear at
>>resolutions above 360.
>>
>>I am assuming the print heads are just shot and need replacing. Anyone ever
>>experience this? Can anyone tell me where I can order new print heads for
>>this printer? They are simple to replace so I can do it myself. I like this
>>printer and really don't want to replace it if I can avoid it.
>>
>>TIA
>>
>>Mike...
>>
>
>
>
>
> Soak the print head in 2mmn of Windex or in my case Spray and Wipe, this is
> way stronger, for say 1 hour, then do it again and then again 2 times with
> clean water, the dry off with some tissues.
>
> You only soak the face of the print head..
>
> This should fully clean the print head..
>
>
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 08:59:52 GMT, Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net>
wrote:

>If you wish to do it fully correctly, head replacement requires a
>special program from Epson. One part is a series of tests that help you
>to make geometric adjustments, and you could do this without the
>program, although the program puts the printer through a series of
>printed test charts that explain what adjustments the head requires.

The Stylus Photo 890 does not require mechanical adjustment of the
print head.

The only adjustment required when replacing the print head is to input
the print head I.D., it's a 13 alphanumeric character.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 09:09:25 GMT, Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net> wrote:

> > Soak the print head in 2mmn of Windex or in my case Spray and Wipe,
> > this is way stronger, for say 1 hour, then do it again and then again
> > 2 times with clean water, the dry off with some tissues.
> >
> > You only soak the face of the print head..
> >
> > This should fully clean the print head..
>
>And if these instructions correct the "stuck nozzle" problem with
>magenta (or other color) lines on the print, I'd love to know about it. ;-)
>
>Art



The problem is a partial clog of the print head, as it not been fully cleaned.

Fully cleaning the print head should restore it.





>puss@purrpurr.com wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 31 Oct 2004 11:46:22 -0500, "Mike Benz" <mvbenz@**NO_SPAM**mvbenz.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have an Epson 890. I had an issue where the heads kept getting clogged due
>>>to not enuf use. I used the suggestions of a few poeple on this group to
>>>clean them and it worked fine. I now get good nozzel checks. The issue I am
>>>having now is when I print in photo quality or a higher resolution than
>>>360dpi, I get thin magenta and/or cyan lines going thru the prints. I have
>>>tried the cleaning processes over again and they come and go. I have even
>>>gone so far as to take the heads off and clean them with a paper towel
>>>soaked in windex. I have let the printer sit for days to make sure there is
>>>no cleaning solution left and have run purge print jobs several times using
>>>a special .jpg to print each color seperately yet the lines still appear at
>>>resolutions above 360.
>>>
>>>I am assuming the print heads are just shot and need replacing. Anyone ever
>>>experience this? Can anyone tell me where I can order new print heads for
>>>this printer? They are simple to replace so I can do it myself. I like this
>>>printer and really don't want to replace it if I can avoid it.
>>>
>>>TIA
>>>
>>>Mike...
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Soak the print head in 2mmn of Windex or in my case Spray and Wipe, this is
>> way stronger, for say 1 hour, then do it again and then again 2 times with
>> clean water, the dry off with some tissues.
>>
>> You only soak the face of the print head..
>>
>> This should fully clean the print head..
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Ototin wrote:

> On Mon, 01 Nov 2004 08:59:52 GMT, Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net>
> wrote:
>
>
>>If you wish to do it fully correctly, head replacement requires a
>>special program from Epson. One part is a series of tests that help you
>>to make geometric adjustments, and you could do this without the
>>program, although the program puts the printer through a series of
>>printed test charts that explain what adjustments the head requires.
>
>
> The Stylus Photo 890 does not require mechanical adjustment of the
> print head.
>

So Epson has finally developed a way to hold tolerances well enough to
not require head geometry adjustments? That's good to hear. Many of
those adjustments were required due to separate black and colored heads,
which have been integrated in the newer printers. Of course, that also
means that if any of the head fails, the whole thing requires
replacement, but maybe that lowered overall costs.

> The only adjustment required when replacing the print head is to input
> the print head I.D., it's a 13 alphanumeric character.
>

Neat! Of course, one still needs to locate a copy of the program.

Art

 

[Tristan]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

How do you un-mount the heads on the 890 ?

it does not seem to be obvious (and apparently epson does not make it
easy for people to take the heads off on this printer)...

What screws/screws must be taken off ? any hint would be welcome!

 

[Tristan]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.

but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
?

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On 16 Nov 2004 00:07:24 -0500, tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid (tristan)
wrote:

>ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>
>but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
>heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
>?



I used Spray n'Wipe a far better product, used out of the bottle 1000 time
stronger than Windex, its a surface cleaner with detergent and Ammonia..

Used say 2mm in a flat tray with the face of the head in it, you could see
the ink coming out strait away, moved the head up and down a little to help.

Did this for one hour, then again for one hour, then again twice with Warm one
hour each.

Wiped clean with a tissue..


Took some 5-6 cleaning cycle with new tanks to get it to print..


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Before doing so, can I ask why you wish to remove it?

Art

tristan wrote:

> How do you un-mount the heads on the 890 ?
>
> it does not seem to be obvious (and apparently epson does not make it
> easy for people to take the heads off on this printer)...
>
> What screws/screws must be taken off ? any hint would be welcome!
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

What kind of ink were you using?

If you haven't cooked or drown the heads and you haven't yet tried my
cleaning manual for Epsons you might want to give it a go.

Just email me and request a copy. Usually, following my instructions
and recommended cleaner mix, and a bit of patience ends up with a
unclogged printer head.

Replacement Epson print heads 1) cost about 70-80% of the cost of a
replacement printer

2) Require some mechanical and electronic adjustments and special
software to do it or you have to pay a service depot to do it, which
really makes it costly.

Art

tristan wrote:

> ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>
> but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
> heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
> ?
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Can you be more specific about this product. I found literally over a
dozen different products all called Spray n' Wipe. Apparently, this is
not a trademarked name, so it would be great to know the manufacturer or
the brand name. In looking over the different products, they vary
considerably in their components. Some are ammoniated, some contain
detergents, so citrus oils, some gycol ethers, etc, so it would be very
helpful to know the specific product you are using.

Art

William Bell wrote:

> On 16 Nov 2004 00:07:24 -0500, tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid (tristan)
> wrote:
>
>
>>ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>>
>>but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
>>heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
>>?
>
>
>
>
> I used Spray n'Wipe a far better product, used out of the bottle 1000 time
> stronger than Windex, its a surface cleaner with detergent and Ammonia..
>
> Used say 2mm in a flat tray with the face of the head in it, you could see
> the ink coming out strait away, moved the head up and down a little to help.
>
> Did this for one hour, then again for one hour, then again twice with Warm one
> hour each.
>
> Wiped clean with a tissue..
>
>
> Took some 5-6 cleaning cycle with new tanks to get it to print..
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 11:42:38 GMT, Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net> wrote:

>Can you be more specific about this product. I found literally over a
>dozen different products all called Spray n' Wipe. Apparently, this is
>not a trademarked name, so it would be great to know the manufacturer or
>the brand name. In looking over the different products, they vary
>considerably in their components. Some are ammoniated, some contain
>detergents, so citrus oils, some gycol ethers, etc, so it would be very
>helpful to know the specific product you are using.
>
>Art


AJax Spray n' Wipe., Colgate Palmolive..


>William Bell wrote:
>
>> On 16 Nov 2004 00:07:24 -0500, tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid (tristan)
>> wrote:
>>
>>
>>>ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>>>
>>>but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
>>>heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
>>>?
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> I used Spray n'Wipe a far better product, used out of the bottle 1000 time
>> stronger than Windex, its a surface cleaner with detergent and Ammonia..
>>
>> Used say 2mm in a flat tray with the face of the head in it, you could see
>> the ink coming out strait away, moved the head up and down a little to help.
>>
>> Did this for one hour, then again for one hour, then again twice with Warm one
>> hour each.
>>
>> Wiped clean with a tissue..
>>
>>
>> Took some 5-6 cleaning cycle with new tanks to get it to print..
>>
>>
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Thank you.

I did see their product as one that was listed under the Spray 'N Wipe name.

Art

William Bell wrote:

> On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 11:42:38 GMT, Arthur Entlich <artistic@telus.net> wrote:
>
>
>>Can you be more specific about this product. I found literally over a
>>dozen different products all called Spray n' Wipe. Apparently, this is
>>not a trademarked name, so it would be great to know the manufacturer or
>>the brand name. In looking over the different products, they vary
>>considerably in their components. Some are ammoniated, some contain
>>detergents, so citrus oils, some gycol ethers, etc, so it would be very
>>helpful to know the specific product you are using.
>>
>>Art
>
>
>
> AJax Spray n' Wipe., Colgate Palmolive..
>
>
>
>>William Bell wrote:
>>
>>
>>>On 16 Nov 2004 00:07:24 -0500, tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid (tristan)
>>>wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>>>>
>>>>but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
>>>>heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
>>>>?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>I used Spray n'Wipe a far better product, used out of the bottle 1000 time
>>>stronger than Windex, its a surface cleaner with detergent and Ammonia..
>>>
>>>Used say 2mm in a flat tray with the face of the head in it, you could see
>>>the ink coming out strait away, moved the head up and down a little to help.
>>>
>>>Did this for one hour, then again for one hour, then again twice with Warm one
>>>hour each.
>>>
>>>Wiped clean with a tissue..
>>>
>>>
>>>Took some 5-6 cleaning cycle with new tanks to get it to print..
>>>
>>>
>>>----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away. (George Carlin)
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

Only place I have found on the net so far is:

http://www.compassmicro.com/partsdetail.cfm?ID=1569&Printer=Stylus%20Photo%20890

But at $93 I am thinking of going to a new printer. I am looking at the
Canon i9900


"tristan" <tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
news:41998b0c$1_5@alt.athenanews.com...
> ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>
> but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
> heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
> ?
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: comp.periphs.printers (More info?)

On Sat, 20 Nov 2004 17:59:28 -0500, "Mike Benz" <mvbenz@**NO_SPAM**mvbenz.com>
wrote:

>Only place I have found on the net so far is:
>
>http://www.compassmicro.com/partsdetail.cfm?ID=1569&Printer=Stylus%20Photo%20890
>
>But at $93 I am thinking of going to a new printer. I am looking at the
>Canon i9900
>


And a Print head that Only last 18 months, you are joking..


>
>"tristan" <tristan@bok-dot-net.no-spam.invalid> wrote in message
>news:41998b0c$1_5@alt.athenanews.com...
>> ok, I managed to un-mount the heads.
>>
>> but the soaking in windex (even in HOT windex) did not un-clog the
>> heads. Is there a way to purchase a replacement head for this printer
>> ?
>>
>